Paper short abstract:

The ‘Corridors of Freedom’ concept underpins Johannesburg’s Bus Rapid Transit system, aspiring to mitigate persistent apartheid geographies. Property re-development along the bus route aims at inclusion, yet shortcomings in pro-poor housing signal potential displacements and unintended exclusions.

Paper long abstract:

Johannesburg's Bus Rapid Transit system is located within the 'Corridors of Freedom' (CoF) development concept, a programme of City-guided transformation of the built form and occupancy density along BRT routes to support the functioning and viability of the new bus system. Amongst other things this transport-orientated development attempts to counter the notorious spatial legacy of apartheid, still shaping the lives of many poor people living in less favourable localities. The programme's by-line is 'Re-stitching our City to create a new future', and envisions 'Rich and poor, black and white living side by side' in diverse housing options and typologies. The programme targets multiple actors, particularly private sector developers, to invest, build, and find development opportunities along the bus route through conversions of existing properties. Initiated under the African National Congress city administration and pro-poor in intention, there are emerging complexities in the realisation of the CoF vision. This paper uses the story of one mixed use building in a prime location along the central-city to Alexandra route of the CoF to reveal the potential for displacement of very poor residents and unintended, exclusionary consequences. The paper locates the discussion at the intersection of a pro-poor transport development and its ambitions, and the contestations and shortcomings surrounding well located low income housing, despite the country's massive state housing programme for the poorest of the poor.